Pumping assembly

Abstract

A pumping assembly includes a hydraulic pump having a hydraulic ram tied to a reciprocating annular piston having a central bore. When the annular piston moves in an upward direction, the hydraulic ram moves toward an extended position extending from the housing. When the annular piston moves in a downward direction, the hydraulic ram moves toward a retracted position retracted within the housing. A polish rod extends up through the central bore of the annular piston and is held in position by a polish rod clamp positioned on top of the hydraulic ram. The polish rod moves with the hydraulic ram. Other pumping systems, devices, and methods are also disclosed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A pumping assembly comprising:
 a hydraulic pump with a housing installed at a well head, the hydraulic pump having a hydraulic ram tied to a reciprocating annular piston having a central bore, the housing including a single hydraulic chamber, the annular piston directly engaging an inner surface of the housing and having a single piston head that divides the hydraulic chamber into first and second subchambers, the hydraulic pump alternatingly applying hydraulic fluid pressure directly to a bottom of the piston head of the annular piston via the first subchamber and directly to a top of the piston head of the annular piston via the second subchamber to drive the annular piston in a continuously reciprocating motion such that when the annular piston moves in an upward direction the hydraulic ram moves toward an extended position extending from the housing, and when the annular piston moves in a downward direction, the hydraulic ram moves toward a retracted position retracted within the housing; 
 a polish rod extending up through the central bore of the annular piston and held in position by a polish rod clamp positioned on top of the hydraulic ram, such that the polish rod moves with the hydraulic ram and such that the annular piston drives the polish rod in a continuously reciprocating motion; and 
 a secondary tube separating the polish rod and the hydraulic ram, the secondary tube immediately surrounding the polish rod and having an outer surface directly engaged by the annular piston, the secondary tube being stationary relative to the housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The pumping assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising an external guide on the hydraulic pump, the external guide having an upper proximity switch and a lower proximity switch tied to control valves and a source of hydraulic fluid, such that upon the upper proximity switch being triggered, hydraulic fluid is pumped from the source of hydraulic fluid via the control valves into the hydraulic pump from above the annular piston to urge the annular piston in the downward direction and upon the lower proximity switch being triggered, hydraulic fluid is pumped from the source of hydraulic fluid via the control valves into the hydraulic pump from below the annular piston to urge the annular piston in the upward direction. 
     
     
       3. The pumping assembly of  claim 1 , comprising a spacer stand secured to the well head. 
     
     
       4. The pumping assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the housing of the hydraulic pump is secured to the spacer stand. 
     
     
       5. The pumping assembly of  claim 1 , comprising a stuffing box positioned between the well head and the hydraulic pump and engaging the polish rod to prevent pumped fluids from bypassing a flow channel of the well head by passing along the polish rod and through the central bore of the annular piston. 
     
     
       6. The pumping assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the stuffing box is positioned within a spacer stand secured to the well head. 
     
     
       7. The pumping assembly of  claim 1 , comprising the well head.